The Centre for metals and energetics - Activities
- Controlling and testing by non-destructive and destructive methods:
- Controlling, testing and analysis of the condition of metals and metal products, welding technology of metal materials
- Controlling and testing of mechanical equipment (hydroelectric power plants, thermoelectric power plants, surface mines…)
- Calibration of devices (measuring devices for mechanical quantities)
- Expertise of machine equipment breakages
- Consulting services
Since its establishment, The Centre for metals and energetics of the Institute for Materials Testing has been present at most of the energy capital facilities (thermal and hydroelectric power plants, mining facilities – surface mines, shipyards and refineries), process plants and supporting steel structures.
The centre also works on research projects and studies, provides consulting services and performs tests on basic materials and welded joints. Development projects and professional services include a wide range of research into components and equipment for the maintenance, reconstruction and revitalization of energy, process and other facilities, such as: examination and analysis of the condition of metals and metal products, production control and control-testing of mechanical equipment using methods with and without destruction, expert analysis of the causes of damage, failures and breakages, supervision of the construction of gas pipelines, calibration of devices of mechanical sizes, engineering and consulting services.
Non-destructive testing methods
Non-destructive testing methods include visual testing, magnetic particle testing, penetrant testing, ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, hardness measurement, and microstructure testing using replicas of base material and welds.
Destructive testing methods
Destructive testing methods include chemical composition analyzes (G-V, XRF), tensile testing (Re, Rm, A, Z) – static and dynamic, at room and elevated temperature, in the range up to 1000 kN, impact energy determination – Charpy toughness ( KV, KU), at room and reduced temperature, hardness testing (HB, HV, mHV, HRB, HRC), metallographic tests and technological tests – twisting, bending, twisting and shearing.
The Centre for metals and energetics, through the implementation of destructive tests, participates in the certification of concrete steel according to current regulations.
Hydro and thermo-energy plants and surface mines
Professional teams of the Institute for Materials Testing are permanently involved in the maintenance work of hydroelectric power plants, through control, testing, condition analysis and assessment of the remaining service life of equipment (turbines, pipelines, hydromechanical equipment: shutters, doors, servomotors…), preparation of technical conditions, production control and acceptance of mechanical and hydromechanical equipment and development of repair technologies for equipment damage.
The Centre for metals and energetics, in cooperation with other organizational units of the Institute for Materials Testing, participates in controlling, examining, analyzing the condition and evaluating the remaining service life of equipment at thermal power plants (turbine equipment, steam pipelines, boiler plant parts, mills, transport devices…).
At surface mines, the centre carries out testing, analysis of the condition and life assessment of rotary and Ash excavator equipment, development of plans and programs for preventive maintenance of excavators, development of repair technology for damage to excavators and testing of steel ropes for excavators.
Steel structures and welding
The Centre for metals and energetics carries out testing, condition analysis and lifetime assessment of steel structures of bridges, sports and production halls, transmission lines, antenna poles.